Since the release of their debut EP “XIEXIE” in 2021, we’ve been following the remarkable journey of Tokyo’s four-piece alternative band, xiexie. Building on a foundation of lo-fi indie pop while incorporating elements of psychedelic, chill, and soul music, they have achieved remarkable success through their distinctive musical additions and subtractions. Their activities extend far […]
Interview
DYGL’s Kohei Kamoto on ‘Dangle Candle’ & Space and himself
Working in parallel with band activities to create solo work is not merely an expansion of expressive outlets—it’s also a process of facing oneself and distinguishing what one can and cannot do. What DYGL’s Kohei Kamoto reveals in his debut solo album “Dangle Candle” is a record of just such a contemplative journey. Encouraged by […]
Francis of SCHØØL first Japan show – Shimokitazawa [SLYMO]
A four-piece shoegaze band based in Paris, SCHØØL. Frontman Francis Mallari will make his long-awaited first visit to Japan to perform at the event “SLYMO” held at Shimokitazawa BASEMENTBAR & THREE on Sunday, December 28, 2025. On the day, Francis will perform not with a full band set, but in an acoustic format, performing SCHØØL […]
Hatchie Talks ‘Liquorice’, Jay Som, and Romance Films
Australian singer-songwriter Harriette Pilbeam’s project, Hatchie. Her third album ‘Liquorice’ was produced with Melina Duterte’s solo project Jay Som, whom we recently interviewed. In this interview, Hatchie explicitly states that she was influenced by Jay Som’s ‘Anak Ko’, and traces of Jay Som’s DNA can be felt throughout her previous work. The change that emerged […]
Sisters In The Velvet on “Mother’s Octave” and Physicality
It’s been a year and a half since their last release. Sisters In The Velvet have finally dropped their highly anticipated new EP, “Mother’s Octave.” For this release, they took on the thrilling challenge of recording in one take—without even using a metronome. Jazz-like improvisation was added to the mix, along with a statement against […]
Seoul’s Post Inner Circle discusses their debut EP ‘Artificial Sun,’ visuals, and the concept of finding hope in a dystopian world.
If the “sun” were to disappear from the world right now, what would we rely on to live? Post Inner Circle, a five-member band from Seoul, South Korea, presents one answer to this grand question in their debut EP ‘Artificial Sun.’ What are the musical roots of this band, consisting of four musicians and one […]
Jay Som on ‘BELONG’: Finding Home in Indie Rock’s Ecosystem!
San Francisco-based solo project by Melina Duterte, Jay Som. After a six-year hiatus, she releases her new album “BELONG.” If you listen to this work, you’ll immediately understand, but let me state it clearly: This is undoubtedly one of the greatest indie rock works representing the 2020s and beyond. During the hiatus, she pursued her […]
Gaming Meets Music: crushed’s ‘no scope’ Album Interview
crushed, formed through songs played on late-night radio. Bre and Shaun, who work long-distance between LA and Portland, draw tremendous inspiration from video games like ‘METAL GEAR SOLID’ and ‘Silent Hill,’ incorporating this into their music production. Particularly, they deeply empathize with the character Sniper Wolf, and the song “oneshot,” which sublimates the inspiration gained […]
KIKI: ‘Death of a Daisy’ Signals Electro-Pop’s Future
When I listened to the third album ‘Death of a Daisy & Birth of an Oyster’ by Bangkok’s indie pop band KIKI, I was convinced that their music would unfold the future of electro-pop now that Daft Punk is no more! The expansion of dance beats and the fusion with experimental electronic sounds, skillfully weaving […]
Caroline’s Jasper Llewellyn Talks ‘caroline 2’ Creation
The eight-piece indie rock band caroline from London, England. Their second album ‘caroline 2’, released in May 2025, has garnered worldwide attention following their debut album ‘caroline’, and is already an undeniable masterpiece that secures its place among the year’s best albums. It’s such an incredible album that I worry words might cheapen it, but […]
